1999 Ford Expedition died while driving

BRANDONCORNWELL

MEMBER

1999 FORD EXPEDITION

140,000 MILES

I was driving my 99 Ford expedition in town, had just made one stop and was on my way to another, when there was a loss of power after a stoplight. I was able to get maybe four blocks farther, then the engine cut out entirely. Lost power steering, so I coasted to the side of the road. All power works fine, engine turns, but no starting.

Brand new battery, alternator was replaced last year. 4.6L Triton V8 4X4. I've heard suggestions of fuel pump, fuel filter, and coil. Had a similar issue with my 94 Ford Tempo, similar problem, replacing the fuel filter fixed it. Going to start there, not sure what else to check or how to check it.

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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 12:49 PM

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

EXPERT

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.

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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 1:03 PM

BRANDONCORNWELL

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Okay, thanks for the input! I don't have any of those tools, so I was unable to proceed today (perhaps in the next few days I can go ahead with those tests). Here is what I WAS able to do.

I was able to change the fuel filter. The gas that came out of it on the intake side was very very dirty (leaving dark black stains on the paper towel, not unlike oil), and not much gas came out of the outlet side. That might be because all of it ran out the intake side.

I was able to get the engine to fire when using starter fluid. I removed the Air Filter hood thingie (pardon my overly technical terminology there.) And squirted it towards the carburetor side. The engine fired but would not stay running. It is acting very much like it is just out of gas.

I had my brother turn the key on while I had my ear near the gas tank, and I heard the fuel pump. I don't know what it is supposed to sound like. It was more like a buzz than a hum. Think hard phone vibration against a wooden surface, as opposed to a phone vibrating when on a bed mattress or pillow.

From what I can tell, I am getting spark (enough to ignite starter fluid), I do have power (enough to ignite starter fluid and run all of my peripherals like lights, power seats/windows/mirrors, radio, etc.), But I don't have gas getting to the engine.

I will try to get the rest of the tools mentioned here, and test those things. Hopefully there is something you can tell me from what I've said here.

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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 7:53 PM

WRENCHTECH

EXPERT

Until you read the fuel pressure about all I can tell you is it appears you have spark.